Chryssanthi Koutsandrea

Polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy and exudative age-related macular degeneration in Greek population

AbstractPurpose To study the prevalence, the clinical features, and the visual prognosis without treatment of polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV) in a large series of Greek patients presenting with exudative maculopathy.Methods The medical records, photographs, as well as fluorescein and indocyanine green (ICG) angiograms of a series of 268 consecutive elderly white Greek patients, who were originally diagnosed as having exudative age–related macular degeneration (AMD) were reviewed retrospectively.Results  In all, 22 of the 268 (8.2%) patients initially suspected of having AMD were ultimately diagnosed with PCV. In 15 of the 22 (68.2%) patients with PCV, the polypoidal lesions were located in the peripapillary area. Large soft drusen were present in only two fellow eyes of the 10 (20%) patients with unilateral PCV compared with 120 fellow eyes of the 148 (81.1%) patients with unilateral AMD. At the last examination, 11 of the 22 (50%) patients with PCV and 120 of the 246 (48.8%) patients with AMD presented a visual acuity of less than 6/60 in at least one eye due to scar formation in the macula.Conclusions PCV is not an infrequent disease in Greece. A measurable number of Greek patients with findings suggestive of exudative AMD will instead have PCV. ICG angiography is important in differentiating between these two clinical entities. In Greeks, polypoidal lesions are predominately peripapillary and are not usually associated with macular drusen in the fellow eye. PCV and exudative AMD do not differ significantly in terms of their natural course and visual prognosis in Greek patients.

Intraocular triamcinolone acetonide for pseudophakic cystoid macular edema: optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography study.

Purpose: To evaluate pseudophakic cystoid macular edema (CME) by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal electroretinography (mf-ERG) and determine the efficacy of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections. Methods: In this nonrandomized retrospective study, 14 eyes of 14 patients with persistent pseudophakic CME were treated with triamcinolone acetonide injection and were followed up for 1 year. All patients underwent complete ophthalmologic examination including determination of best-corrected visual acuity, slit-lamp examination, tonometry, and funduscopy. Results of OCT and mf-ERG were also recorded before and after the injection. Results: Visual acuity and mf-ERG values increased in all patients after intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injections. OCT showed improvement of the retinal thickness in the macular area. Temporary increase of intraocular pressure was controlled with topical use of antiglaucoma drops. Conclusion: Intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide injection is a promising therapeutic tool for chronic pseudophakic edema resistant to other medical treatment. However, further study is needed to assess the treatments long-term efficacy, its safety, and the need for retreatment.

Evaluation of successful macular hole surgery by optical coherence tomography and multifocal electroretinography.

PURPOSE To evaluate successful macular hole surgery using optical coherence tomography (OCT) and multifocal electroretinography (MFERG). DESIGN Interventional case series. METHODS In a prospective study, 20 eyes of 20 patients with successful surgery for stage II, III, or IV idiopathic macular hole were evaluated by best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), ocular examination, OCT, and MFERG preoperatively and 1, 3, 6, and 12 months postoperatively. For statistical analysis, the paired t test and nonparametric methods were used, as well as the Spearman analysis. RESULTS Postoperatively, all 20 eyes of 20 patients had anatomic closure of the macular hole confirmed by OCT. The center of the fovea, measured by OCT from the retinal pigment epithelium to the inner retinal surface, had a mean +/- SD thickness of 116.5 +/- 30.9 microm (range, 68-175 microm) 1 year postoperatively. Best-corrected visual acuity significantly improved (preoperative mean +/- standard deviation [SD] value, 0.131 +/- 0.081 and 1 year postoperative mean +/- SD value, 0.407 +/- 0.193). Multifocal electroretinography values area 1 (0-2.8 degrees) and area 2 (2.8-9 degrees from the center of the fovea) significantly improved (preoperative mean +/- SD values 3.10 +/- 1.334 nV/deg(2) and 3.573 +/- 1.545 nV/deg(2), respectively, and 1 year postoperative +/- SD mean values, 5.53 +/- 1.208 nV/deg(2) and 4.748 +/- 1.404 nV/deg(2), respectively). The thickness of the fovea, measured by OCT, significantly correlated with the BCVA 1 year postoperatively. One year postoperative MFERG values areas 1 and 2 were not correlated with 12-month BCVA and OCT findings. CONCLUSIONS Twelve months postoperatively BCVA and MFERG values significantly improved in this series of eyes with successful macular hole surgery. Optical coherence tomography findings were correlated to BCVA, but MFERG values were not correlated to BCVA and OCT findings, 1 year postoperatively.

Renal Injury Following Intravitreal Anti-VEGF Administration in Diabetic Patients with Proliferative Diabetic Retinopathy and Chronic Kidney Disease - A Possible Side Effect?

The use of intravitreal injections of anti-Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor (anti-VEGF) has been used for a broad spectrum of ocular pathologic entities. Although the dose of anti-VEGF agents used for treating eye disease is minute compared with that used intravenously, intraocular administration can lead to systemic absorption and reduce serum VEGF levels. Several systemic side effects, such as hypertension and cardiovascular complications have been rarely reported in the literature. Renal complications of intravenous administration of anti-VEGF, are well known and include a variety of renal pathological damage which can induce proteinuria and hypertension. We describe herein, 2 cases of diabetic patients with preexisting kidney disease who presented severe reduction of their renal function after intraocular administration of anti-VEGF. Although a cause -effect correlation cannot be established unless further studies are performed, we believe that pretreatment counseling should include a discussion outlining the possible risk of aggravating of the renal function in patients with kidney disease. Close cooperation with the patients nephrologist and close monitoring of the patient may be required, in such cases, in order to monitor the renal function before and after the intravitreal administration of anti-VEGF.

The effect of prostaglandin analogs on the biomechanical properties and central thickness of the cornea of patients with open-angle glaucoma: a 3-year study on 108 eyes.

Purpose To evaluate the effect of prostaglandin analogs (PGAs) on the biomechanical properties (corneal hysteresis [CH], corneal resistance factor [CRF]) and central corneal thickness (CCT) of patients with open-angle glaucoma. Methods A total of 108 eyes were prospectively included for repeated measurements of intraocular pressure (IOP) with Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) and ocular response analyzer (ORA), CCT, followed by CH and CRF measurements by the ORA, during the same visit. Of these, 66 were treated with latanoprost, and 42 were treated with latanoprost and timolol. IOP, CH, CRF, and CCT were measured before treatment and at 6-month intervals. Results It appears that under local PGA treatment, IOP values decreased and CH and CCT significantly increased, whereas CRF did not. CCT slightly but significantly increased at all time points of the study (0.50–3.00 μm and 1.50–5.50 μm), and we observed a constant significant increase in CH (0.4–0.7 mmHg and 0.65–0.95 mmHg). Concerning the correlation of GAT IOP with CCT and CH, it was found that at the time points 0, 1, and 2 there were statistically significant correlations. Conclusion The changes of CCT and CH under PGA treatment in clinical practice may influence IOP measurements and patient follow-up significantly. This should be investigated further to confirm the relationship between corneal properties and treatment of open-angle glaucoma.

Massive choroidal hemorrhage after intravitreal administration of bevacizumab (Avastin ® ) for AMD followed by controlateral sympathetic ophthalmia

Purpose: To report a severe ocular complication initiated ten days after intravitreal administration of bevacizumab (Avastin®), in a patient with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Patients and method: Case report. Results: Ten days after intravitreal injection of 1.25 mg Avastin®, the patient manifested acute loss of vision with excruciating pain. An extensive choroidal detachment was evident in close contact with the lens, which necessitated an emergency sclerotomy with reconstruction of the anterior chamber. Four months later, the eye proceeded to phthisis bulbi. Five months after the injection, the patient complained of mild pain, photophobia, and visual acuity deterioration from the fellow eye. The diagnosis of sympathetic ophthalmia was suggested and treated with intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide every three months with good response, complicated by elevation of intraocular pressure which we managed with Ahmet valve implantation. Conclusion: Serious ocular complications after intravitreal of Avastin® can not be excluded, including massive choroidal hemorrhage and sympathetic ophthalmia of the fellow eye.

Optical coherence tomography in the study of the Goldmann–Favre syndrome

PURPOSE To report a case of Goldmann-Favre syndrome with special emphasis on the optical coherence tomography findings. METHODS In a 23-year-old white man with an 8-year history of visual impairment in both eyes and night blindness, vertical and horizontal optical coherence tomography images were obtained through the macula and through the retinoschisis located at the temporal side of the macula. RESULTS Optical coherence tomography showed in the left eye a clear loss of the inner retinal layer at the fovea and the formation of inner and outer retinal layer holes in the temporally located retinoschisis. The outer retinal layer hole had rolled edges. CONCLUSION In Goldmann-Favre syndrome, optical coherence tomography demonstrated confluent macular cystoid changes and retinoschisis in both eyes. In the left eye, a lamellar macular hole and retinoschisis with inner retinal layer and outer retinal layer holes were observed. The outer retinal layer hole had rolled edges.

Phaco-Trabeculectomy in Controlled, Advanced, Open-Angle Glaucoma and Cataract: Parallel, Randomized Clinical Study of Efficacy and Safety

Abstract Background: To examine the efficacy and safety of combined phaco-trabeculectomy in patients with cataract and controlled, open-angle advanced glaucoma and to identify preoperative predictive factors of postoperative glaucoma course. Setting: Departments of Ophthalmology, University of Athens, and General Hospital of Lamia, Greece. Methods: Prospective, interventional, parallel, cluster (units = examinations), randomized clinical study. 60 patients with visually significant cataract, visual field Mean Deviation (MD) worse than −15.0 dB, and preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), controlled (consistently below 22 mmHg) on topical medications and with no previous ocular surgery, were randomly allocated (1:1) to phacoemulsification alone or phaco-trabeculectomy group. Intention-to-treat analysis was performed to compare the postoperative outcome and adjusted multivariate longitudinal linear regression analysis was performed to identify predictive factors of the main outcome measures, with postoperative visual field MD change up to two years postoperatively. Participant recruiters and data collectors were masked to group assignment. Results: 31 and 29 patients were randomized to phacoemulsification alone and phaco-trabeculectomy groups, respectively. Patients assigned to the phaco-trabeculectomy group experienced a 1.7 mmHg [95% CI:−3.1 to −0.23] reduction in IOP, a 1.4 dB [95% CI: −0.17 to 2.96] improvement in visual fields MD, a 0.6 [95% CI: −1.2 to −0.05] reduction in the number of glaucoma medications needed postoperatively, while the visual acuity improvement was similar between the two groups. Best predictors for visual field MD: degree of nuclear sclerosis, relative afferent pupilary defect (RAPD), preoperative MD deviation from −19.0dB and preoperative cup-disc ratio deviation from 0.9. The phacoemulsification group experienced more IOP spikes (>25 mmHg) with Odds Ratio (OR) of 0.34 [95% CI: 0.11–1.02]. No patient lost light perception. Conclusion: Phaco-trabeculectomy in advanced, controlled, open-angle glaucoma patients with cataract results in better postoperative visual field MD with no major adverse events.

Perfluorocarbon liquids in vitreoretinal surgery: a review of applications and toxicity.

Since their introduction by Chang et al. in 1987, perfluorocarbon liquids (PFCLs) have become a useful tool in vitreoretinal surgery. They are synthetic compounds with carbon-fluorine chemical chains that have specific physico-chemical properties, which make them valuable for the intraoperative management of the retina by simplifying vitreoretinal surgical maneuvers in a variety of settings. These maneuvers include retinal detachments associated with proliferative vitreous retinopathy, following penetrating trauma, giant retinal tears, dislocated lenses or lens implants and complications from proliferative diabetic vitreoretinopathy. Purified PFCLs are generally considered to be biologically inert. Despite the stability of PFCLs during vitreoretinal surgery, several studies have indicated that these compounds may be associated with toxicity in ocular tissues. The purpose of this review is to report the use and toxicity of PFCLs in vitreoretinal surgery and to present the latest perspectives on modified PFCLs (hydrofluorocarbon liquids (HFCLs) and HFCL-oligomers).

Polymorphism analysis of COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes in Greek patients with keratoconus.

Abstract Background: In this study, we conducted the genotyping of D326Y in COL4A3 and M1327V, as well as F1644F in COL4A4 polymorphisms, in a case–control sample panel of Greek origin population. Materials and Methods: A case–control panel, with 45 keratoconus (KC) patients and 78 healthy controls, were surveyed. DNA from each individual was tested for the D326Y in COL4A3 and M1327V, as well as F1644F in COL4A4 polymorphisms by direct sequencing. Results: When analyzing the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium, we observed no significant deviation from expected numbers in both KC patients and controls. The genotype frequencies in the polymorphisms tested were not found to be significantly associated with KC development risk. The M1327V AA and F1644F TT genotypes were significantly over-represented in healthy individuals. Conclusions: We could hypothesize that mutations in COL4A3 and COL4A4 genes are not involved in KC risk in Greek population. Nevertheless, the M1327V AA and F1644F TT genotypes were significantly over-represented in healthy individuals, suggesting a protective role of these genotypes in KC development risk in our population.